Mark Hughes has told former team-mate Garry Monk it will only get harder after his dream start to his managerial career.

The 34-year-old, named Swansea boss for “the foreseeable future” after Michael Laudrup’s sacking last week, enjoyed a fairytale first game with their 3-0 derby demolition of Cardiff on Saturday.

Hughes, 50, was in the twilight of his career at Southampton just as Monk was breaking through there, and has compared the managerial rookie’s situation to the one that gave him his first chance, with Wales' national team.

He reckons Monk will have his players on side having just graduated from the dressing room - but warned keeping it that way will be a challenge.

“He’s got an opportunity and has made a great start. Clearly, Swansea wanted a new manager bounce and that is exactly what they got. The players seem to want him to do well.

"It is similar to the situation I found myself in when I got the Wales job. I had just come from being a player when I was given the job and I sensed the players wanted me to succeed.

"But it becomes more difficult the longer you are in the game - that would be my bit of advice.”

(Image: Paul Thomas)

Hughes has welcomed the appointments of more British coaches in the Premier League after Monk followed Tim Sherwood at Tottenham in getting a chance.

He added: “We got to a point, maybe a few years ago, where a lot of good people were getting passed over.

“In my view, British coaching is very good, and in a lot of aspects we are probably ahead of the game - ahead of the so-called big nations in terms of coaching. So when a young, aspiring coach gets an opportunity, it’s a good thing.”